Outline for Position Paper
Your Topic (e.g., “immigration benefits” “immigration dangers” “diversity in America” or “open
borders”):
Immigration Benefits
Your Interesting Title:
Immigrants: The Backbone of America
Your Course Source (Underline at least one, but you may use others):
“The New Demographics,” “Changing Face of America: The Diversity Index explained,” Lexington, Beck,
Hayter, Rhetorcial Analysis Source #2 (write down which one – any Source 2 from any group)
Source #1: Envision in Depth book page 525-527 (The Hub Nation) Lexington
Source #2: The New Americans: Economic, Demographic, and Fiscal Effects of Immigration
http://nap.ed/catalog/5779.html
Source #3: Ten Ways Immigrants Help Build and Strengthen Our Economy
https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2012/07/12/ten-ways-immigrants-helpbuild-and-strengthen-our-economy
PART ONE—INTRODUCTION (see handout from class):
An introduction should answer the question, “Why do we care about the topic?” Some approaches
include:
Hook (e.g., anecdote, scenario, surprising statistic or fact, or some way to engage the reader,
etc.)
Historical background or context-building (i.e., kairos, doxa).
Your hook: The definition of immigration is moving to a foreign country to live. With that being said,
let’s say we move every single immigrant out of America. What would we have left? Nothing because
immigration is how we became a country.
Historical background or context-building:
Immigrants move to another country in order to find a better life than what they left behind in one
aspect or another. Prior to the Mayflower landing on American soil, America consisted of Native
Americans who did not want to establish a country. They just wanted to be left alone. With this being
said, had the pilgrims not migrated to America in search of religious freedom, we wouldn’t be a country.
The last sentence of your first paragraph includes your central argument, expressed as a thesis
statement (or near the end of the introduction). Your thesis statement can follow this example format:
(Claim) because (Reason 1), (Reason 2), and (Reason 3).
Example: Landlords should not select renters based on race or religious affiliation (Claim)
because it could create a homogenous community in the affected areas (REASON 1), it would be
an unfair denial of equal rights (REASON 2), and because it could be economically damaging to
landlords themselves (REASON 3).
Your thesis statement:
Immigration is an important aspect of the American culture (CLAIM) because immigrants provide need
cultural diversity (REASON 1), help America continue to be a global network (REASON 2), and, most
importantly, strengthen the economy (REASON 3).
PART TWO—REASONING:
Reason 1 (from thesis)
Topic sentence which indicates topic of the paragraph and expresses primary support for thesis.
Supporting details:
•
Use persuasive appeals (ethos, but not misuse of ethos, pathos, but not exaggerated
pathos, and logos, but not logical fallacies) to support Reason 1
•
Analyze and explain the evidence for the reader. What does it mean? How does it
support your argument?
Repeat this for each of your major reasons.
Reason 1 Topic Sentence:
Cultural diversity is what America was built around and is essential to our country because we are the
freedom country.
•
Supporting details
o
o
o
People, from many different cultures, immigrated to America in search of freedom.
Without many different cultures deciding to seek a better life together, we wouldn’t be
a country.
We strive to maintain freedom in America and can only continue this by giving freedom
to people with open arms.
America is considered “the melting pot” because it is made up of many different
cultures and there isn’t one specific culture that defines it. In other words, how can we
be against cultural diversity if that is what we are made up of?
Reason 2 Topic Sentence:
Immigration is the only reason that America has a strong global network that is continuously growing.
•
Supporting details
o
o
o
A road runs both ways. Immigrants maintain links with the places they came from,
immigrants help America plug into a vast web of global networks (Lexington). In other
words, immigrants move to our country and when doing that they help us establish
connections to their country.
Without immigration, we wouldn’t have enhanced technology due to the fact that we
wouldn’t have the knowledge needed to enhance it as we have. This would have
negative effects on our country as a whole because our society revolves around
technology.
We also wouldn’t have the medical capabilities that we do, not only because our
technology wouldn’t be as enhanced, but also because we need to understand practices
from all over the world in order to improve ours.
Reason 3 Topic Sentence:
The main, and most important, reason that immigration is essential in America is because immigrants
are the backbone of our economy.
•
Supporting details
o
o
o
As someone who has experienced the American culture, I can accurately state that
many Americans are lazy. They don’t want to do service or, what they would consider,
underprivileged jobs. Many immigrants don’t care what job they do as long as they have
access to a job.
Immigrants are 30% more likely to start a business than Americans are (Source #3). An
economy cannot grow without growing businesses.
A large percentage of scientists, innovators, and engineers in America are immigrants
(Source #3). Once again, immigration brings a growth of knowledge to America.
PART THREE—ADDRESSING COUNTER-ARGUMENTS:
•
Acknowledgement of counter-argument to (with concession if necessary)
•
Rebuttal to counterargument to (with refutation or concession if necessary)
Repeat this for each of your major reasons.
Vocabulary of counterargument and rebuttal techniques:
Counter-argument – opposing view; common arguments against the writer’s argument
Concession – admittance of valid points made by opposing side, or in what contexts the points are valid
Rebuttal – the writer’s answer to the counter-argument, contradicting it, supporting thesis
Qualification – adding description that explains limitations of views or claims
Refutation – explaining, demonstrating why/that the opposing side is wrong
Last Body Paragraph Counter-argument:
Reason 1: Having so many cultures in one country just makes it hard to keep everyone happy.
•
Rebuttal (with concession if necessary)
While cultural diversity does cause many disagreements, it is better to disagree and be
able to see many different points of view than to agree because you don’t know any
other way.
Reason 2: If we did everything in-house, then we wouldn’t need a strong global network.
•
Rebuttal (with concession if necessary)
Every country wishes that they could do everything that is needed within the borders of
a country and not have to rely on anyone else. While this could be done, it would take
centuries to develop ideas that we are able to develop in years due to global
networking.
Reason 3: If we didn’t have immigrants, there wouldn’t be an unemployment rate because
American’s would have more jobs available.
•
Rebuttal (with concession if necessary)
Just because an American doesn’t have a job doesn’t mean it is because they haven’t
been offered one. No, if we took away immigrants, we wouldn’t have anyone to do the
very essential service level jobs because Americans are to proud.
PART FOUR—A DAZZLING CONCLUSION (see handout from class):
In addition to restating your opinion with a paraphrase, you have a lot of freedom and flexibility to
make your closing paragraph interesting. For example, you can:
discuss the future of your topic and possible directions it could take
discuss other things related to your topic and how many of them are affected by your topic (in
order to show the reader how important your topic is)
Suggest a possible solution (if applicable)
Paraphrase of thesis: Without immigration, America wouldn’t strong because it would not have cultural
diversity, a strong global network nor a strong economy.
Summary of key support: The backbone of America is immigrants. If you take away how America was
founded, then you take away any future that it has.
Dazzling point: Unfortunately, we may soon see the effect that losing its immigrants would have on
America due to the immigration laws that are currently in process of being established.
[POSITION PAPER] EAP 1851
Overview: Students will write a position paper on one of the course topics, using at least 1 source from the
class readings or rhetorical analysis. The paper should be 4-5 pages in length, including the Works Cited page.
Student Learning Outcomes addressed:
• Students will learn academic content knowledge and vocabulary in the content area ‘globalization
issues’ and will demonstrate understanding of this knowledge by completing papers.
• Students will produce an argument/position paper.
• Students will incorporate sources into their papers using paraphrasing, summarizing, quoting, and
appropriate citation methods.
• Students will incorporate academic language and grammar, discourse transitions, and appropriate
register in their papers.
Topic: The position paper will reflect on a topic relevant to the course, and specifically a topic from our first
content unit – Immigration & Diversity. In doing this paper, we will develop the writing skills needed to write a
position paper and practice choosing the rhetoric necessary to successfully develop an argument. Below are
two examples of topics that might be appropriate for a position paper.
• Immigration & Diversity (benefits, dangers, open/closed borders, changing face of America)
• Immigration & Diversity in your country*
*While being persuasive involves logos, pathos, and ethos and strategies of argumentation—, which can often
be done without sources--students are required to use at least 1 source to support their ideas. When
information from a source is used, the student must state where the information came from (in-text citation)
and also include a list of the sources used at the end of the paper (Works Cited).
Write the Paper
A. Write your paper.
a. Make sure your introduction focuses on the topic and gives an overview of how you will
address that topic.
b. Do you give specific evidence selected to fit your particular argument rather than telling
random facts?
c. Have you found specific examples or statistics to prove your points rather than simply asserting
them?
d. Have you considered the other side of the issue?
e. Are the sources of specific points acknowledged with references, even if paraphrased rather
than quoted?
f. Do you have a list of all the sources you used, not just the ones you quoted directly?
g. Have you proofread, looking particularly for those mistakes that a spell-checker doesn't
catch? Remember also that the best grammar checkers are right only 80% of the time.
B. Meet with a tutor to review your paper. Be sure to bring your assignment guide and rubric with
you.
Step 4: Revise the Paper
A. Meet with instructor to review your paper.
B. Make revisions suggested by instructor.
University of South Florida ELP |
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EAP 1851
[POSITION PAPER]
Higher grades will go to papers that exhibit logical thinking, an analytical framework, specific evidence, the
ability to inform and communicate, sound organization, and a concise and coherent argument. In this paper,
the premium will go to those who are capable of making a persuasive argument. That argument must be
backed up with specific factual information, not just based on your own impressions. You are expected to
come to your own conclusion.
HOW TO ORGANIZE THE POSITION PAPER
See Canvas “Position Paper” Module for the “Complete Outline Template”
Outline should follow:
1) Introduction
Paragraph 1: Introduction with hook: identifies rhetorical stance, includes thesis, and provides
background necessary for audience
See Canvas “Position Paper” Module for Introduction guidelines and 2 examples.
2) Body (Evidence and Development of Argument)
Paragraph 2: Argument 1 with support
Paragraph 3: Argument 2 with support
Paragraph 4: Argument 3 with support
Paragraph 5: Counterargument (what others could say against your position) followed by Refutation
(your argument against the counterarguments)
3) Conclusion
Paragraph 6: Conclusion with thesis restated (i.e. ‘wrap-up’)
See Canvas “Position Paper” Module for Conclusion guidelines and 1 example
________________________________________________________________________
FORMULA FOR CREATING A THESIS STATEMENT FOR THE POSITION PAPER
Position + because + reason + reason+ reason
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June, 2017 | University of South Florida ELP
[POSITION PAPER] EAP 1851
Examples:
Tampa is a difficult place for me to live because the cost of living is very high, the constant traffic is annoying, and it is
too far to get to the nicer beaches.
In my opinion, the increased reliance on social media has changed our lives for the worse because it encourages us to
make constant superficial contacts with ‘friends’, it reduces the language and therefore our thinking, and it requires that
we spend much more time using technological devices that have been shown to be detrimental to our health.
Social media has improved our lives because it makes it possible to connect with friends and family who are far away, it
allows us to be in quick and constant contact with our friends who are nearby, and it also allows people who are united in
a cause for social justice to organize quickly.
University of South Florida ELP |
3
Name of checker: _____________________
Name of writer: _______________________
Body Paragraphs & Format Checklist #1
Directions: Circle “Yes” or “Not Yet” for each Task and make comments here, with complete sentences and paragraph # if needed.
Task
Approved
or not?
MLA format on the right side, left side are
accurate, preliminary title is present &
paper is double-spaced with font size 12
Times New Roman
Yes
Preliminary thesis about a topic from page
1 of position paper handout is present
before body paragraphs start
Yes
Each paragraph has a topic sentence that
supports the preliminary thesis and main
position of the paper.
Yes
Write in complete sentences and write the paragraph # if appropriate
If NOT approved, what do they need to fix for correct academic format?
Not yet
After reading whole paper, make a comment about the thesis (strong point or a
point to improve, or if your opinion about the thesis changed after reading paper):
Not yet
Why approved or not?
Even if all topic sentences seem strong: Which topic sentence seems the
weakest? Why? How could they improve this sentence?
Not yet
Each paragraph has strategies of
argumentation (example, narration,
compare/contrast) to support the topic
sentence and student uses at least one
piece of information from class
reading/rhetorical analysis group reading.
Yes
Why approved or not?
Even if all paragraphs seem strong: which paragraph is weakest? Why? How
could they improve the structure or strategies of argumentation for this paragraph?
Not yet
Each paragraph has a concluding
sentence or a transition to the next
paragraph…NOT simply “first, second,
third”
Yes
All paragraphs flow logically, using the
outline as a model or writer was able to
improve the model for their specific point
(for example, some students may group
the counterargument/refutation in a
different place for flow or paragraph length)
Yes
No paragraphs is more than ~¾ of a page
and the information in each paragraph is
convincing and sufficient (this is your
judgement)
Yes
If NOT approved… how/where could it improve?
Not yet
Does the organization seem logical or not? What are your suggestions to make the
organization flow better?
Not yet
If NOT approved….which paragraph(s) could benefit from shortening or lengthening?
Do you recommend splitting paragraph, taking out information, adding more
information…..?
Not Yet
All spelling is correct.
Yes
Circle or mark “S” anything you think is a spelling mistake on the paper.
Not Yet
All grammar is checked to the best of your
knowledge. Specifically, the use of
“although” “but” “however” “while” etc for
the counterargument/refutation is used with
correct grammar and spelling.
Write any other comments or concerns here:
Write any questions you have about the grammar of the paper here:
THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
University of South Florida
EAP 1851
The Introductory Paragraph
1.
2.
3.
4.
provides a hook (see page 122 of textbook)
introduces the topic.
states why the topic is important.
gives bit of background information and/or context or
values (i.e. kairos, doxa) about the topic.
5. may indicate that there is a difference of opinions about the
topic.
6. presents a thesis:
Simple Thesis Statement “Formula”
Position + because + Reason1 + Reason2+ Reason3
Example: Tampa is a difficult place for international students to live
because the cost of living is very high, the constant traffic is annoying,
and the beaches are too far away.
For your paper: Follow this formula to create a new thesis
statement based on your position. Your position will be your
argument about immigration. The reasons will be based on
your readings, experience, and other coursework/research.
Introduction Sample 1
In 2010, an experienced trainer at Disney World in Orlando was dragged into the
water and killed by one of the killer whales she had been working with (Martinez).
As a result, the issue of whether orcas should be banned from marine parks has
surfaced again. Over the years, a variety of different arguments have been put forth
about this important issue because it concerns fundamental moral and economic
THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
University of South Florida
EAP 1851
questions about all animals held in captivity. Yet, in spite of the varying arguments
about this topic, the evidence clearly demonstrates that orcas should be released
from captivity because they are more likely to die in captivity than in the wild,
because they can present a danger to the lives of their handlers, and because
keeping them in captivity for economic reasons is cruel and inhumane.
Introduction Sample 2
Celebrating the revolution, French citizens sent King Louis XVI to the guillotine. Every
Halloween day in ancient Rome, the most evil criminals were executed at the city square. In the
1800s, in an effort to deter crime in the United States, hundreds of bank robbers, killers, and
horse thieves were hanged in front of the public. As these examples demonstrate, capital
punishment has been a useful and powerful tool to protect justice and deter crime. However, in
the last half of the 20th century, the death penalty has faced increasing opposition. Many people,
especially members of churches, are against capital punishment. Most advanced countries have
eliminated the death penalty (“Down With the Death Penalty”). While it is true that the death
penalty has some negative points, it is still a powerful and useful tool. Therefore, so as to deter
crime, to give fairness to victims and their families, and to punish inhumane criminals,
society should keep the death penalty.
(Sourcework 101)
THE INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
University of South Florida
EAP 1851
The Concluding Paragraph
1. provides a restatement (in a paraphrase) of your main
point or argument (see list on page 125-126)
2. may discuss the future of your topic and possible
directions it could take
3. may discuss other things related to your topic and how
many of them are affected by your topic (in order to show
the reader how important your topic is)
4. may suggest a possible solution (if applicable) or a call-toaction
Conclusion Sample
The simple fact is that life in a much smaller environment than is natural represents
cruelty towards the majestic creatures we are in awe of—and, in turn, this cruelty causes
unneeded suffering and even death to both the whales and their trainers. Such dangers can only
lead us to the conclusion that a life in the wild is the only life possible for killer whales. In fact,
Sea World recently announced they would stop accepting new whales and will cease offering
shows for entertainment. Just as circuses are currently phasing out elephant shows, and just as
zoos stopped showcasing “savage” humans at the start of the 20th century, we are continuing to
develop a gentler, more reflective relationship with wildlife. Decades from now, perhaps we will
only read about whales in captive situations, instead of paying for a ticket to witness an unnatural
act.
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